 The American Legion
National Commander
Clarence Hill
Click here to contact the Commander
Download a hi-res photo - coming soon
1. Visit Clarence Hill’s webpage
2. Click for Aug 27, 2009 acceptance speech
From The American Legion National Headquarters:
Florida Veteran Elected Leader of The American Legion
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Aug. 27, 2009) – A retired U.S. Navy captain has been elected national commander of the nation’s largest veterans organization.
Delegates to The American Legion’s 91st National Convention here chose Clarence Hill of Jacksonville, Fla., to lead the 2.5 million-member organization of wartime veterans for a one-year term.
The new national commander plans to increase The American Legion’s outreach efforts using social media networks and other technologies. His goals also include diversifying The American Legion by recruiting more minorities and increasing awareness of issues effecting women veterans. While veterans from any war era will always be welcome in The American Legion, Hill plans to expand outreach efforts to Vietnam era, post-Vietnam era and current War on Terrorism veterans.
A native of Martin’s Ferry, Ohio, Hill graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He served 19 of the next 24 years on sea duty and retired in 1996. His afloat commands included officer-in-charge of a PT boat, one frigate, two destroyers, two cruisers, Cruiser-Destroyer Group 12 in Mayport, Fl, and the Sixth Fleet in Gaeta, Italy. He commanded the Naval Communications Station United Kingdom in Thurso, Scotland, for three years, and the guided missile frigate USS MCINERNEY (FFG-8) for two years, including combat operations during Operation Desert Storm. Ashore, he earned two masters degrees, one from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Ca., and the other from the Naval War College in Newport, RI.
A 27-year Legionnaire, Hill is a Life Member and three-time Post Commander of American Legion Post 316 in Atlantic Beach, Fla. He is a dual member belonging to SAL Squadron 316. He attended the National American Legion College in 2000 and was an instructor in 2001. He was department commander for Florida from July 2002 to July 2003, achieving an all-time-high in membership. Hill earned eight “Gold Brigade Awards” for recruiting 50 or more members of The American Legion in a single year. He served for three years as the national chairman of The American Legion National and Homeland Security Commission and belongs to The American Legion Riders.
Cmdr. Hill took the oath of office along with five other national officers. Serving as national vice commanders are Eugene A. Schumacher of Aberdeen, S.D.; James C. Morris of Cardington, Ohio; Dr. Gordon B. Browning of Chestertown, Md., Mark A. Avis of Palmer, Mass., and Morris M. Bentley of Grangeville, Idaho.
National Historian James T. Higuera of Arcadia, Calif., National Chaplain John L. Beaver of Mobile, Ala., and Paul Martel of Pierson, Fla., were appointed to their positions by Cmdr. Hill following the close of the national convention.
 |
|
